A Perfect Silhouette (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book, and although I thought I figured out the ending early on. While there is a bit of romance here, there are so many subplots going on, like real life, you will never get bored, and it will keep you page turning. We get an up-close look at the mills that were an important part of the economy on the East Coast, and also see how unpleasant it was to work there. Wonder anyone had hearing left, or lungs, and the humidity and heat! We get a glimpse of life as the workers living in a boarding house, gulping their meals and trudging back to work to do it again. This is a story to get lost in, a great clean summer read! I received this book through Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.

A Perfect Silhouette by Judith Miller is the second Christian Historical I've read recently involving working in the mills. Set in 1850 New Hampshire, we view the mill town, boarding house, and mill itself through the eyes of one young woman, Mellie Blanchard. We see the deplorable conditions within the mill walls, sweating to near-fainting with Mellie and breathing in stifling lint-laden air. The undeniable monotony of watching the loom shuttles whiz back and forth may have threatened to put me to sleep! I thought William Morgan was very brave to take on a role beneath his social class in order to discover more about the true workings of his family's mills. There were some details about the looms that were hard for me to follow, or I wanted to leave for business people like Morgan and his father. Trust and forgiveness are themes that are addressed as are loving one's enemies, plus standing for one's convictions. One part of the story I am still puzzling over- could it really have happened like that? I'm not quite convinced. I have enjoyed reading Miller's books as she has lately taken us through several different professions in America's history. Quotes: « He'd stepped into this new identity thinking he could do good, yet each lie had required another. He was beginning to have trouble sifting the lies from the truth. » « “Prayer is our best hope—in all circumstances... » I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions for which I am solely responsible.